West Michigan Symphony and International Piano Competition Winner in Concert

Friday, and Saturday, March 15 and 16, should be a magical night with the West Michigan Symphony, as they will feature Naumberg International Piano Competition winner Awadagin Pratt at its Masterworks series concerts.
Returning for its sixth year, the popular “Beethoven and Blue Jeans” performance will feature:
• Randall Woolf’s “Shakedown,” with the composer in attendance for the dress rehearsal and two performances
• Jan Sibelius’ Symphony No. 3, Op. 52. in C major
• Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73, “Emperor” in E flat major
More information, as well as expanded program notes with audio samples, is available online at the Symphony’s website.

Both concerts will be held in the majestic Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts in downtown Muskegon at 7:30 p.m.

One of the cool things about this concert series is that all concertgoers are encouraged to join the orchestra and Music Director Scott Speck in wearing blue jeans for the evening.
Pratt joins WMS on his current national tour, which also includes stops in New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Virginia and other destinations. A native of Pittsburgh, Pratt began studying piano at the age of six. By the time he reached 16, he was studying piano, violin and conducting and became the first student at the Peabody Conservatory of Music to earn diplomas in each.
Pratt has performed numerous recitals throughout the United States, including performances at the Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center and Chicago’s Orchestra Hall. He has appeared with scores of symphonies and performed with summer festivals in Ravinia, Wolftrap, Aspen, the Hollywood Bowl and Tokyo.
Single tickets for this concert are $15, $20, $35 and $45 and may be purchased online at www.westmichigansymphony.org; in person at the West Michigan Symphony Ticket Office, Suite 409 (4th floor) in the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon; or by calling 231.726.3231. Student tickets are $5 for this concert but are not available online. College students must present a valid ID when they purchase tickets.